AIIMS Raipur lecturer 2021
Nursing Research & Statistics
Easy

Which among the following is not a requisite of good averaging in central tendency?

Appeared in: AIIMS Raipur lecturer 2021

Explanation

  • The question asks to identify the characteristic that is NOT a requisite for a good measure of central tendency.
  • A primary goal of a statistical average is to simplify a complex dataset into a single, easily understandable value.
  • Therefore, being 'Difficult to understand' is the direct opposite of a key requisite, which is that an average must be easy to comprehend.
  • All other options listed are desirable and necessary properties of a good average.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

  • Option B: This is a requisite of a good average. An average must be 'rigidly defined' by a specific mathematical formula to ensure that its value is consistent and not subject to the interpretation of the person calculating it.
  • Option C: This is a requisite of a good average. 'Sampling stability' means that if multiple samples are drawn from the same population, the average calculated for each sample should be relatively consistent and not vary wildly.
  • Option D: This is a requisite of a good average. A good average should be 'simple to compute' so that it can be calculated quickly and without complex mathematical procedures, making it more accessible and practical for use.

Related Visual

A chart listing the properties of a good statistical average e.g., rigidly defined, easy to understand, simple to compute, based on all observations, sampling stability with a...
Clinical Relevance
  • Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Properties of a good measure of central tendency as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
  • While this is a statistics question, understanding data is crucial in nursing. Nurses must interpret patient data (like average blood pressure over a week), hospital quality metrics (like average length of stay), and findings from nursing research.
  • Averages that are easy to understand and compute allow for quick, on-the-floor analysis and decision-making.
  • What if? - If a nurse is reading a research paper that uses a very obscure and complex measure of central tendency (one that is 'difficult to understand'), they might misinterpret the study's findings, potentially leading to the incorrect application of evidence-based practice.
How to Approach the Question
  • First, identify the negative framing of the question by spotting the word 'not'. This means you are looking for the option that does not fit.
  • Recall the fundamental properties of a good statistical average. Think about why averages are used in the first place – to simplify data.
  • Evaluate each option against these properties.
  • Option A, 'Difficult to understand', directly contradicts the primary purpose of an average, which is to be a simple, representative value.
  • Options B, C, and D ('Rigidly defined', 'Sampling stability', 'Simple to compute') are all well-known, positive attributes of a good average.
  • Therefore, the one that is 'not' a requisite is the correct answer.
Concept Tested & Keywords
  • Concept Tested: Properties of a good measure of central tendency
  • Stem keywords: requisite, good averaging, central tendency
  • Lead-in keywords: not
  • Negative lead-in flag: Question is negatively framed (NOT)

Question ID

Qtl0_oXSoKr6EKTdtbOiUY

Reference Book

E6 NursingResearch Sukhpal Kaur pp. 444-446, 448-450, 450-452

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